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| Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care, and Training | 
 enlarge | Authors: Orysia Dawydiak, David E. Sims
Publisher: Alpine Blue Ribbon Books
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $16.22
You Save: $8.73 (35%)
New (17) Used (5) from $16.22
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 72539
Media: Paperback
Edition: 2
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.6
ISBN: 1577790626
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.737
UPC: 697987906267
EAN: 9781577790624
ASIN: 1577790626
Publication Date: February 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new item. Over 3.5 million customers served. Order now. Selling online since 1995. Few left in stock - order soon. Code: U20081121020924G
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 9 | | NEXT » |
 Canine guardian angels October 24, 2008
There is a difference between herding, hunting, and livestock protection dogs. While all three types are usually associated with certain breeds, the first two types of dogs generally work under direct human supervision. Livestock protection dogs are unique in that they can protect a variety of livestock types independently of humans.
While other books on the market will address basic obedience training and training for herding and hunting dogs, Livestock Protection Dogs focuses specifically on the uses of livestock protection dogs, telling about the origin and different features of each of these breeds; how to select and train a puppy; address behavioral and training problems; and provides breeder contact information. Also covered are topics such as the dog as a family companion, diet and health problems, and special considerations for protecting unusual livestock, everything from waterfowl to ratites and camelids.
The authors have written a book that is easy to read and informative, for both the average reader as well as the owner or breeder of livestock protection dogs. A nicely detailed table of contents, comprehensive bibliography, suggested reading list, list of websites and breeder contact information, sample questions for prospective dog owners and breeders to consider, supply valuable information. Black and white photographs portray the beauty and variety of the different breeds, while anecdotes testify to the lengths the dogs will go to to protect their charges.
Because of the growth in popularity in livestock protection dogs, several updates were added to this second edition, such as more identification of breed types photos, revised training methods, expanded list of animals now protected by these dogs, and crucial information for new breeders. The authors encourage feedback on training methods from their readers.
Canadian authors Orysia Dawydiak and David Sims are world-renowned for their experience with and knowledge of livestock protection dogs. David Sims wrote the first edition of this book.
[Reviewed October 2004]
 Solid, comprehensive, and very interesting August 11, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Originally published in 1990, the authors have reviewed and added a few extra chapters to this industry standard title from Alpine Books. As always, with Alpine, the book packs a lot of information into an unexpectedly small package. The field of livestock protection dogs isn't particularly well served with titles, but it is also, in the form we see it today, rather a modern endeavour. The breeds discussed, of course, have a long heritage trialling back into the last two thousand years, but in those earlier days farmers and the general population lived very different lives. Now, the livestock protection dog has smaller ranges with boundaries defined by fences and quite often little daytime contact with their shepherds, compared to the past where ranges were huge, there were no fences, and the shepherds were within cooee.
This is a specialist title, naturally, and while I have never lived with or even contemplated a need for a working livestock protection dog, I have spent my life with dogs and also lived the duration on a farm with a number of species that have benefited from the modern livestock protection breeds.
The authors give an excellent review of the breeds in common use in Northern America, and those chapters are of great importance for the judges of the show world - I challenge you to at least attempt the photo quizzes on the breeds!
Advice on general puppy raising and training are fairly typical and sound, the advice for the specialist training and development of the specific protection dog could raise eyebrows, and be warned there is at least one technique that is banned by the Australian National Kennel Council discussed.
The advice on choosing a puppy and buyer are good strong general points any breeder or breed buyer would be wise to read. The authors have a refreshingly open way about dealing with inherited issues, of course they undertake many measures to reduce their own puppies chance to develop such diseases by screening and selective breeding practices, but all breeders know that is not a sure fire guarantee, and buyers and the affected dogs need to be protected.
One point I found of particular interest was the repeated reminder that livestock protection dogs take time to evolve into their full natural role, and an owner cannot expect full guarding duties to be undertaken until the pup is at least 18 months old. And, of course, these traits need to be nurtured.
What surprised me the most, how cute the livestock protection breed puppies were! There are lots of gorgeous cute photos, not what I expected from a working title!
What disappointed me the most, ahh, that is a result of my own experiences of farm animal husbandry, the condition of some of the livestock in the photos. The dogs look hale and hearty and well cared for, a few of the livestock were wanting in that respect.
This is an excellent title reviewing the breeds in use in North America, the current accepted training techniques, and a refreshing look at diet and nutrition for this specialist industry.
Breeds covered include: Akbash Dog, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Kangal Dog, Caucasian Ovcharka, Great Pyrenees (Pyrenean Mountain Dog), Komondor, Kuvasz, Maremma Sheepdog, Polish Tatra Sheepdog, Slovakian Cuvac, Tibetan Mastiff, with mention of the Sarplaninac, Castro Laboreiro, Estrela Mountain Dog, Rafeiro do Alentejo, and Pyrenean Mastiff.
Well Done March 29, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Informative, well written book.
Good reference book to have around when owning an LGD.
It's in the genes November 9, 2006
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
I bought this book to see if I could train my dog in livestock protection. Not! What I get from the book is that you have to buy the right breed, and they will do it instictively, there's not all that much you have to do to train them except expose them to livestock at the right age. However, the book is well written, so I enjoyed skimming through it. I have a neighbor who uses one of the recommended breeds to guard her kids, and I think that's such a great idea in these days when parents seem to have to be afraid of letting their kids stay even in the back yard.
VERY GOOD BOOK October 15, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
VERY GOOD BOOK,LITTLE CONFUSING LIVESTOCK PROTECTIONDOGS WHEN YOU CALL THE DOGS LGD LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOG.I REALY RECOMEND PEOPLE TO READ IT BEFORE TO GET THE DOG AND NOT AFTER LIKE ME. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO BUY IT WHEN YOU LIVE IN SPAIN AND I MISSED VERY MUCH A VERY OLD LGD BREED THE SPANISH MASTIFF-MASTIN ESPANOL THAT HAVE GUARDING THE SHEEP FROM WOLFS DURING HUNDREDS OF YEARS AND STILL DOING IT IN SPAIN BUT NOT KNOWN OUTSIDE SPAIN.I HOPE THEY WILL BE IN THE NEXT EDITION.TODAY YOU CAN EVEN FIND WEB-SITE IN ENGLISH AND IF YOU LIKE YOU CAN CONTACT ME.THE SPANISH MASTIFF IS NOT SO AGGRESIVE TO PEOPLE BUT VERY WACHFUL DURING NIGHT.MARGA
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